Rhode Island activists build for Poor Peoples March Against Poverty

Momentum is building here for a large Poor Peoples March Against Poverty on April 4, the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. At a time when the state faces a $500 million budget deficit, on April 4 marchers will converge on the Rhode Island Statehouse at 4 p.m. to tell the legislature “No budget cuts!” “Tax the rich, not the poor!” and to demand jobs at living wages, housing, health care, education, utilities, daycare, senior care and secure pensions for all. The demonstrators will demand the U.S. Congress cut off funds for war abroad, start funding an emergency war on poverty at home and reverse President Bush’s tax cuts for the rich.

Activists expect to have distributed 20,000 flyers and posters by April 4. More than 4,000 flyers were handed out to attendees of a massive Obama rally the day before the Rhode Island primary. Youth and community organizations are jumping into the organizing, including Youth Build, Rhode Island Public Housing Tenants, the RI HUD Tenant Project, DARE (Direct Action for Rights and Equality) and DARE Youth, People to End Homelessness, the R.I. Rosa Parks Human Rights Day Committee and many others.

Support has been growing day by day. AFSCME District Council 94 has endorsed and has taken on mobilizing members to participate. Numerous state representatives and senators are supportive of the effort.

The R.I. Minority Caucus in the legislature has taken a strong stand against proposed budget cuts, in opposition to the Democratic Party leadership. The budget cuts target every aspect and area of human need. It is the mobilization of the people that will stop them!

For more info contact the Poor Peoples Campaign, 401-837-7663 or [email protected].